Union Sociale pour l'Habitat and its members are more than ever devoted to their social mission. That's the main message in the new detailed plan that was recently presented to guide the work of the social housing sector in the post-lockdown new reality.

The youth encounter uncertainty not only in their transition into adulthood but also in finding and making a place a home. As their lives are often defined by frequent migration to secure jobs and education, young people face grave obstacles in finding adequate housing, it being temporary or more permanent. A growing number of young adults are consequently either exposed to precarious living arrangements or have to postpone leaving or return to their parents’ home. The current pandemic crisis situation sheds ever more light on the growing challenge of housing the youth and its debilitating effects. Being both more prone to live in overcrowded homes and priced out of the urban housing market, makes a plea for directed action a pressing matter now more than ever. In times when home becomes the entirety of each person’s world, we need to acknowledge it as a prime factor for socialization and autonomy – it shouldn't only be the luckiest of this generation who have the chance to create theirs.

GdW - Housing Germany, a member of Housing Europe, carried out a survey among more than 2,000 of their members that illustrates how housing companies in Germany are affected by the Corona pandemic. They face challenges especially when it comes to renting, maintenance and refurbishment of apartments as well as support for their tenants.